Miller vice chair of Homeland Security, Peters a senior whip

After failing in her bid for the top spot as chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, Congresswoman Candy Miller has landed the vice chair post. She will also continue to serve as chair of the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, a position she has held for the past two years.

On the other side of the aisle, Rep. Gary Peters has been named to the Democratic whip team as a senior whip for the 2013-14 session of  Congress. Peters, a Bloomfield Township Democrat, will serve under Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer’s leadership team, where he will help keep the Democratic lawmakers in line with House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.

 “Congressman Gary Peters proved himself to be a highly effective leader by delivering real results for Michigan's auto industry when it mattered most,” said Hoyer, a Maryland Democrat. “Gary has been a key ally in our ‘Make It In America’ agenda and … as we move into 2013, America needs leaders like Gary Peters who will take point in the fight to create more good paying, middle-class manufacturing jobs.”

Miller, who also appointed chair of the Committee on House Administration, has served on the committee that oversees the Homeland Security Department for five years. The subcommittee she chairs reports to the full Homeland Security Committee.

“As chairman of the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security, I will continue my oversight and legislative efforts to ensure our nation’s borders are adequately secured against illegal immigration, drug and human smuggling, as well as the exploitation of the legitimate visa process,” said the Harrison Township Republican.

“During my tenure as Chairman, I have conducted effective oversight that has forced positive change to our nation’s security.  I will continue to push needed legislation that will ensure we implement strong protections to our borders and global supply chain.  Our nation’s borders can and must be secured, and my goal will be to see that the department is making progress in this area vital to our national security.”